A bold new experiment in adult fantasy and science fiction. We rediscover the 1980 premiere of Marvel’s Epic Illustrated—from Frank Frazetta’s cover to legendary creators within.
Oh wow - that's some cool history right there! I think I saw the later EPIC comics featured it in full color, so this premier issue is probably the one in b/w.
Wow - that had to be pretty awesome, Mike! It seems like EPIC was Marvel's answer to Heavy Metal - which is also incredible. Were you able to keep any of your original collection over the years?
Nah. I went through a period of very contentious downsizing over the past five years. 13000 comics? Sold to a new comic shop about to open for business & bought a car. Every fiction/non-fiction book I'd read and kept on the shelf? Sold - via yard sales and local used bookstores. DVDs/CDs? Sold via eBay. The Epics and Heavy Metals? They were the last to go last year to a different comic shop. I do miss all the Stuff, but I'm 60 and need to explore new writers, music and entertainment.
Good point, Jim. I bet the democratization of branding, marketing, production and sales through current technology has been a boon to artists versus what they had to do in the old days. But then again, now there's just that more competition! . . .
Still, this had to be pretty darn cool back then to be able to create without imposed boundaries put on you by "the man"!
Agreed, Eric! I accumulated a bunch over the past few years, but even though some of the stories are really fun & imaginative, I think I still like the amazing covers the best!
Metamorphosis Odyssey became Dreadstar which I believe was the flagship of the EPIC Comics line of graphic novels for Marvel.
Oh wow - that's some cool history right there! I think I saw the later EPIC comics featured it in full color, so this premier issue is probably the one in b/w.
Yes, I remember later issues featured chapters of the story in full color. I must dig my collection out.
I had every issue (plus most of Heavy Metal as well). Always loved this type of stuff. Thanks for the Memory Lane adventure!
Wow - that had to be pretty awesome, Mike! It seems like EPIC was Marvel's answer to Heavy Metal - which is also incredible. Were you able to keep any of your original collection over the years?
Nah. I went through a period of very contentious downsizing over the past five years. 13000 comics? Sold to a new comic shop about to open for business & bought a car. Every fiction/non-fiction book I'd read and kept on the shelf? Sold - via yard sales and local used bookstores. DVDs/CDs? Sold via eBay. The Epics and Heavy Metals? They were the last to go last year to a different comic shop. I do miss all the Stuff, but I'm 60 and need to explore new writers, music and entertainment.
I imagine it was difficult to get their art out there in other ways. In current times, we would.just all follow their social media.
Good point, Jim. I bet the democratization of branding, marketing, production and sales through current technology has been a boon to artists versus what they had to do in the old days. But then again, now there's just that more competition! . . .
Still, this had to be pretty darn cool back then to be able to create without imposed boundaries put on you by "the man"!
Absolutely! It had to be so cool to see your content published.
Such an interesting mix of art styles and formats. It does give a vibe of being a portfolio of selected works or fun one off story ideas.
Agreed, Eric! I accumulated a bunch over the past few years, but even though some of the stories are really fun & imaginative, I think I still like the amazing covers the best!